Telfar Shopping Bag Reseller Faces Online Backlash

On Thursday, the brand finally restocked their iconic Shopping Bag, much to the excitement of fashion-lovers who have been patiently waiting for their very own "Bushwick Birkin."

Related | Telfar Shows New /'Bushwick Birkins' in Florence

Unfortunately though, many were disappointed to discover that the bags were almost instantly sold out. But thanks to a tweet from an account associated with fashion reseller Hypernova Group, it didn't take long for people to start calling foul on the suspiciously quick snap-up.

@HypernovaGroup ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED THE TELFAR RESTOCKS. NOT DOING MATH BUT WE TOOK OVER 60% OF STOCK pic.twitter.com/jvNqr0u4Og

— SameOlSkrap🪐 (@positiveskrap) July 23, 2020

Needless to say, on the heels of the claim that Hypernova Group had allegedly purchased "over 60 percent" of the restock, many Twitter users began expressing their rightful indignation.

"I see straight men reselling Telfar bags and idk how to feel... ...I thought yall sold Yeezys and 1s," one person wrote, while another pointed out that doubling or tripling the Shopping Bag's original price — which retails from $150 to $257 — was far from ethical.

"This really isn't okay????" they said. "Telfar was made to be afordabke [sic] for everyone and you go and buy 60% of the product to hike up the price u need to burn in hellfire and brimstone."

I see straight men reselling Telfar bags and idk how to feel...

...I thought yall sold Yeezys and 1s pic.twitter.com/N6jkNZD06G

— 𝖓𝖔𝖎𝖗 (@KINGKADRIE) July 23, 2020

This really isn’t okay???? Telfar was made to be afordabke for everyone and you go and buy 60% of the product to hike up the price u need to burn in hellfire and brimstone pic.twitter.com/n22TLhSldk

— martin luther king krabs (@byrunt) July 23, 2020

After all, as other commenters reiterated, this sort of price gouging runs completely counter to the entire ethos of Telfar — which was founded with the intent to make accessible luxury — and the creation of the Shopping Bag itself.

"Telfar Clemens didn't make the price range of 'The Shopping Bag' as affordable as it is for any 'ol reason," as MEFeater writer Court Kim explained. "He wanted to make luxury affordable for ALL of us. It's literally the slogan of Telfar Global. Black men reselling them to Black women at a higher cost? It's disgusting."

Telfar Clemens didn’t make the price range of “The Shopping Bag” as affordable as it is for any ‘ol reason. He wanted to make luxury affordable for ALL of us. It’s literally the slogan of Telfar Global. Black men reselling them to Black women at a higher cost? It’s disgusting.

— 𝕮𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙 𝕶𝖎𝖒 💥 (@TheCourtKim) July 23, 2020

In the wake of the backlash, another user tried to defend Hypernova Group's actions by arguing that they were "singlehandedly raising the value of a Black Owned Luxury Brand" — a point many pushed back on by saying that it was "greed," plain and simple.

My nigga if you’re greedy & support greed just say that. Them niggas buying & reselling Telfar bags will do nothing to rAiSE tHe vAlUe of this brand. Telfar has been an established luxury brand for years & they will continue to be, regardless of the actions of reselling vultures. https://t.co/KKL6CJYDtT

— Ju nem (@earringdealer) July 23, 2020

As for Telfar, the brand has since closed its online store and put a password on its website. Additionally, they issued a statement via Instagram Stories, writing, "Telfar is for the people. Not bots. Store on ice while we root them out."

In the meantime, see what else the internet is saying, below.

Don’t buy Telfar at resale. Simple. Straight from source. Starve the resellers. They’ll stop.

— T (@iamthevibegod) July 23, 2020

Telfar, crated by a queer Liberian man, intentionally set its price point at an affordable rate with the mantra “it’s not for you- it’s for everyone”

— tre thee stallion (@TreBracey) July 23, 2020

Why are men reselling telfar bags for triple the price? Y’all need to stay outta women business or resell them ugly ass yeezys pic.twitter.com/pzINACiEJi

— R☆✧ (@ritasfenty) July 23, 2020

You Mfs are really buying all the telfar bags and reselling them for 2x the price knowing it’s a lot of black people (specifically black queer people) who want these bags. Fck y’all.

— HOOD VOGUE is tired of poverty (@itskeyon) July 23, 2020

Go buy Jordans and sell them to white boys.. Telfar has a limited supply & tries there best to keep it as affordable as possible & niggas got bots buying 20 bags just to hike the price... to sell to black women. nah.

— Majesty Ria (@ToriNicksWho) July 23, 2020

Photo via Getty